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TwitterCamp 9

The ninth! How did that happen? Anyway, our most recent meet took place from the 20th-24th October at the Camping & Caravan Club Devizes site, just a few miles from the town. We’d been to the site before – in fact it was our current caravan Patsy 2’s first outing back in February 2014. The weather that week was horrendous so it was perhaps apt that we were likely to suffer the wrath of Storm Brian over the weekend.

First on site and a day before the official meet started was my Cousin Andy & wife Janet, followed later in the day by yours truly and the Portly Partner. We’d had to endure an INSET session at the school but had escaped as soon as was feasible and with the caravan and car already loaded, were soon heading west.

The site has the advantage of a pub within a couple of minutes walk from the entrance – The Three Magpies -and given the time of year, somewhere to decamp to in the event of inclement weather was important. We felt it necessary as organisers to check out both the quality of the food and ale before everyone’s arrival the next day. And check it out we did. Quite thoroughly.

From lunchtime on Friday the Twitterati started arriving although we’d already received the sad news that Neil & Dave would be unable to make it as one of their dogs was seriously ill. Tilly has since undergone an operation and is beginning her recovery. We wish her and the boys the very best.

With all the Friday arrivals present we gathered for dinner at the pub. They managed to accommodate us despite it being a busy night. The food seemed to go down well and everyone enjoyed the chance to catch up with fellow caravanning pals. A contribution to the meal bill from our sponsor Cover4Caravans was much appreciated by all.

Saturday saw the last of the arrivals and we were delighted to welcome TwitterCamp newbies Gavin & Kerry with their girls Ffion & Lois and young pup Frankie.

Activity wise there was the usual morning gatherings at our ‘van for breakfast – bacon rolls and tea and coffee – and on one day pastries - again thanks thanks to our sponsor.

Sam & Andy very kindly put together a quiz – and having originally decided to hold this in the pub on the Saturday afternoon when Storm Brian was supposed to be doing it’s worst, we held it instead over breakfast. Teams were limited to pairs and the winners trophy and a bottle of fizz went to Gavin & Lois. Only just though – the Blogger in Black & Portly Partner were just half a point behind. For a change…

The summer saw two 60th birthdays - my cousin Andy and Neil who had had to cancel. Sam had baked a delicious chocolate cake to celebrated and it was presented in the pub. We ensured Neil didn’t miss out, all wishing him happy birthday thanks to Facetime and promised to send him some cake in the post.

Sunday afternoon saw more gluttony as we gathered for the TwitterCamp beer and cider festival. Everyone was tasked with bringing some grog from their area and some gin from Wales and Dorset also made an appearance. Rain stopped play briefly and the buffet – an appropriately healthy selection of er, crisps, sausage rolls, pork pies and scotch eggs got a bit soggy. A good time was had by all it seemed though.

There was plenty of free time to enjoy some of the nearby attractions – Lacock Village & Abbey, Bath, The Caen Locks and Stonehenge were all within easy reach and received the attentions of various members of the Twitterati.

There were some departures on Monday but most stayed and were able to once again enjoy a great meal in the pub thanks to our sponsor Cover4Caravans. It’s worth pointing out that dogs are welcome in the bar area and there are gluten free and vegetarian options on the menu. Check out their website – The Three Magpies – for more information.

No sooner had it all started then it was time to leave. We were the first of the departures and it was sad to wave good bye to our caravanning friends but we’d had a thoroughly good time and I think everyone else did too.

So, it’s thanks – in no particular order of course – to Alison, David, Andy B, Janet, Barry, Christine, Sam, Andy S, Rob, Helen, Gavin, Kerry, Ffion and Lois for making the meet so much fun. A particular thanks must go of course to Richard Burgess of Cover4Caravans for his second year of generous sponsorship. We really do appreciate it.

Right, TwitterCamp 10 beckons and we’ve already fixed the where and when. Thursday July 5th 2018 at the Tewksbury Caravan & Motorhome Club site. Bookings are made with the club or site and open early in December. I do hope we’ll see you there. Until then,